Synonyms of circulate

circulate

verb

ˈsər-kyə-ˌlāt 

1

as in to disseminate

to cause to be known over a considerable area or by many people

circulate the plans for the new stadium around town to get people's reaction

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disseminate
• propagate
• spread
• transmit
• broadcast
• impart
• dispense
• communicate
• convey
• diffuse
• disperse
• radiate
• dissipate
• pass (on)
• scatter
• sow
• sprawl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hold (in)
• conceal
• secrete
• hide
• obscure
• contain
• veil
• restrict
• mask
• limit
• enshroud
• cloak
• shroud

2

as in to rumor

to make (as a piece of information) the subject of common talk without any authority or confirmation of accuracy

circulated a rumor that someone was about to be fired

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rumor
• whisper
• reveal
• suggest
• imply
• tell
• report
• hint
• noise (about or abroad)
• disclose
• gossip
• bruit (about)
• spill
• expose
• propagate
• divulge
• promulgate
• publicize
• proclaim
• dish
• spread
• bare
• tattle
• insinuate
• blab
• intimate
• broadcast
• let on (about)
• bandy (about)
• blaze

3

as in to spread

to become known

the prince denies the story about an extramarital affair that's been circulating in the tabloids

Synonyms & Similar Words

• spread
• get out
• unfold
• out
• break
• tell
• come out
• reveal
• get around
• develop
• leak (out)
• get about
• get round
• disclose
• transpire
• spill

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppress
• hide
• conceal
• disguise
• mask
• secrete
• hush (up)

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of circulate

Another video began circulating online Thursday showing a visibly tired and disheveled gang leader, Lanmo San Jou. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2026

The ad, which circulated on social media late Monday, shows Acton's long-estranged mother, Donna Arthur, saying that her daughter has lied about her past and her struggles growing up. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026

As the past decade has shown, ideas circulating within Russia’s national security establishment have shaped how officials frame problems, define options, and ultimately make major strategic choices. — Dmitry Adamsky, Foreign Affairs, 21 Oct. 2026

Weiner explained how phone numbers can circulate through political donor and voter databases. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026